The Lion King, Music, History, and More

Winter weather has finally arrived, but despite that, people are starting to think "spring" and fun activities are picking up around town. But also, if you're a resident, read the agendas for the Planning and Design meetings this week at Municipal Hall.

Friday, March 10, from 6-8 pm at First Presbyterian Church (Airy & Dekalb). Winter Game Night for kids. Movie, soccer, dodgeball, art & crafts. Call 610-270-0467 for info.

Friday, 7-8 pm, Stewart Middle School (1315 W Marshall) presents Disney’s The Lion King JR.  60-minute musical, designed for middle-school aged performers, is based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor and the 1994 Disney film. The 5th-8th grade cast contains approximately 60 students led by Ms. Moscovici and Ms. Russo. Admission is free, but audience members are encouraged to make a donation at the door. Second performance on Saturday, March 11 at 5pm.

Saturday, 8-11 pm at Five Saints Distilling (Main and Green). FireWater (signer/guitarist Scott Dinolfi) performs.

Saturday, 8-11 pm, Second Saturday Jazz at August Moon, featuring the Jimmy Coleman Quartet. Doors open at 7 pm. Sets on the hour, starting at 8 pm.

Monday, 9 am-1 pm at Norristown Library (Powell and Swede). AARP Tax-Aide Tax Preparation Assistance. Tax-Aide is available free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those 60 and older. For info, contact Asha Verma at averma@mclinc.org or call 610-278-5100 x0. For more information on the documents you will need to bring with you, visit the Tax Aide website at AARP.org/taxaide, or call the toll-free number at 888-227-7669.

Tuesday, 2-3:30 pm at the Library (Swede and Powell). Great Books Group. This month’s classic is “Catch 22" by Joseph Heller. Contact Shirley Miller 610-272-4179. The Great Books Group meets the second Tuesday of each month

Tuesday, 7 pm at Municipal Hall. Planning Commission meeting. Agenda at this link. One notable item is a request to place 6 12x6 foot billboard ads on the side of the old Maaco building on Markley St between Elm and Marshall (photo at right). If you don't want more ugly on that stretch of road, make your thoughts known to the Planning Commission in writing or in person at the meeting.

Wednesday, 6:30 pm at Alfredo's Restaurant. Meeting of the Norristown Riverfront Community. This month, they'll be planning the Earth Day Celebration at Riverfront Park on April 22. Anyone interested is welcome.

Wednesday 6:30 pm at Municipal Hall. Design Review Committee. Agenda at this link. This seems to be a new committee that works in tandem with Planning. I guess the thought is, if the project is approved by Planning, it then goes before Design. Some of the same projects as on the Planning agenda.

Thursday, 5-6:30 pm at the Historical Society of Montgomery Co. (1654 Dekalb St). Presentation on the History of King of Prussia Mall, presented by author and historian Michael Shaw. free and open to the public. For more information contact the Historical Society at 610-272-0297 or contact@hsmcpa.org or visit: hsmcpa.org

Next Sunday, March 19, 10:30 am-noon, at Elmwood Park Zoo. Frog Watch Training Session. FrogWatch USA is a citizen science program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that provides people an opportunity to learn about wetlands in their communities and report data on the calls of local frogs and toads. Come to a special training session to learn how to distinguish the calls of Norristown's native frog species and help Elmwood Park Zoo contribute valuable frog population data to a national database. Members $5, Non-members $15 (zoo admission is included).

Ongoing through April 29, The Historical Society of Montgomery County (1654 DeKalb) is running the exhibit: Norristown Remembered, The Art of Frank Batson. Norristown native Frank Batson’s paintings are inspired by his memories of Norristown and the surrounding area from the 1940’s, ‘50’s, and ‘60’s. Many of the buildings and places are long gone, but through his art, they are brought back to life. Exhibit is FREE and open to the public daily, Monday and Thursday 10 am-4:30 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 1-7:30 pm. Saturday hours vary. For info, contact 610-272-0297 or contact@hsmcpa.org. The Society is handicapped accessible.

ACPPA's 8-week spring session will start the week of March 20th. Art, music, and theater classes meet during the school week in the evenings and our preschool dance classes meet Saturday mornings.  Students participating in the spring 8-week session will also be invited to display their work in our Spring Art Exhibition and/or perform in our Spring Concert in late May. To register, click on this link. For questions or assistance with class placement and registration, contact Stephanie, at sland@acppa.net or 610-277-2270.

The Norristown Police Department will be hosting a Citizen Police Academy starting April 19th, 2017. The 10-week program will expand citizens’ knowledge and understanding of the law and explore police procedures. The CPA involves approximately 25 hours of instruction taught in two and a half hour segments--instruction on topics such as policing strategy, dynamics of patrol, crime investigations, emergency communications and dispatch operations, as well as riding along with patrol. Participants will meet every Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 9 pm  and they must attend 75% or more of the scheduled classes in order to be eligible to graduate and receive a certificate. Class size is limited. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply and be a resident of Norristown.  Applications can be picked up at the station located at 235 East Airy, or can be requested by email NorristownCPA@norristown.org Deadline for application submission is March 31, 2017. Any questions about the CPA can be directed to Community Affairs Liaison Gina Davies 610-270-0490. (Note from Elena: I took this last fall and HIGHLY recommend it for all N-town residents.)

Norristown Municipality is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide, operate and manage food and beverage concession operations and recreational activities (like kayak rentals) year-round at Riverfront Park. Go to this link if you're interested.